Colonel Gabe Diana enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 1996. He deployed to Marine Barracks Panama in 1997 and participated in three Division-level Super Squad Competitions, serving as a team leader on the 2001 winning squad. He was promoted to Sergeant on 2 April 2001, and later graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in History.
From January to December 2002, Colonel Diana graduated from Officer Candidate School, The Basic School, and the Infantry Officer Course. In December 2002, he reported to 3d Battalion, 2d Marines, where he served as Rifle Platoon Commander, 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, and Mobile Assault Platoon Commander. He supported Operation IRAQI FREEDOM I as a member of Task Force Tarawa, conducted security operations with Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa, and deployed for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 04-06.
In January 2006, Colonel Diana joined the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, supporting concept development and live-force experimentation for Distributed Operations. He graduated from Expeditionary Warfare School in 2008 and subsequently augmented OCS as a platoon commander.
In September 2009, he reported to 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, serving as H&S Company Commander and later as Battalion Operations Officer. During this assignment, he supported Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE in Haiti and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. In 2012, he completed the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) and the Art of War Scholars Program.
In June 2013, Colonel Diana assumed command of Recruiting Station Charleston, West Virginia. The team’s exceptional efforts resulted in the Station earning the Eastern Recruiting Region’s “Most Improved” award in 2015. In 2016, he attended the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), and then reported to III MEF’s G35, where he served as lead planner for ULCHI FREEDOM GUARDIAN, KEY RESOLVE, and MEFEX 19.
From June 2019 to May 2021, he commanded 1st Battalion, 2d Marines, participating in the 2d Marine Division’s MAGTF Warfighting Exercise (MWX) and Unit Deployment Program 20-1. Following this tour, he attended the National War College and was then assigned to the Joint Staff, serving as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director of Regional Operations and Global Force Management. He most recently served as Deputy Director of Operations at Plans, Policy, and Operations.
Colonel Diana earned Master’s Degrees in Military Arts and Sciences through CGSC and SAMS, and in National Security Studies from NWC. He completed MIT’s Seminar XXI National Security Program in 2023. His awards include the Division Super Squad Badge, Father Donald Smythe Award for outstanding military history student at CGSC and the Colonel Richard Christie Writing Award at NWC.